Trial further delayed in Chloe Mitchell murder case

The trial of a man accused of the murder of Chloe Mitchell in Ballymena will not begin on 28 April as had been planned.

Brandon Rainey, formerly of James Street in the town, denies murdering the 21-year-old on 3 June 2023 and preventing the lawful burial of her remains.

The 29-year-old is on remand in HMP Maghaberry and appeared at Belfast Crown Court for a pre-trial review on Monday.

His legal team said it was "clear there is an obvious mental health background in this case" and it had directed a number of medical reports be obtained.

Rainey is to be examined by a psychologist on 21 April and a defence barrister said they intended to seek psychiatric reports following that.

The court was told two psychiatric experts had been approached and the defendant's legal team was waiting to hear if they accepted instructions on the case.

Senior defence counsel Des Fahy KC said he would be able to provide an update on timeframes to the court week beginning 27 April.

Senior prosecution counsel David Russell KC said concerns remained about the certainty of the timescale of the trial.

Judge Madam Justice McBride said a trial starting on 28 April "would not be viable or tenable".

She said the court must consider the family and public's need for the matters to be dealt with quickly along with the defendant's right to a fair trial.

"In terms of timescale I've always indicated I would keep a tight rein on it," she told the court.

Madam Justice McBride said the case was exempt from the ongoing barristers' industrial dispute because "everybody agreed this was a case that should be dealt with sooner rather than later".

She said psychiatric experts who agreed to take on the case should give it priority.

The case was listed for a review on 28 April.